New Zealand and Australia's rivalry in sports spreads across many codes and has done so for many years. This week, that Trans-Tasman rivalry was seen and felt in Tauranga as part of the annual Trans-Tasman Secondary School Squash Series. The competition is an annual event that sees New Zealand's top secondary school squash players battle it out with those from Queensland, New South Wales and a combined Australian team. While there was plenty of talent on display and some close matches between the countries, it wasn't enough to break New Zealand's eight year winning streak.
After five days of competition New Zealand's top secondary school squash players have once again proven they are stronger than their Australian rivals, winning the Trans-Tasman Secondary School Squash Series for the eighth year in a row.
Tauranga's Devoy Squash and Fitness hosted the annual competition, which sees selected New Zealand Secondary School players take on players from New South Wales and Queensland in individual and doubles competitions. Instead of playing for individual points, players play for team points and hosting duties are shared between the two countries.
For the eight years since the tournament started New Zealand has won every series and this week's Trans-Tasman battle ended with the same result.
New Zealand team manager and competition organiser Aaron Webb said there were three competitions within the series - interstate singles and doubles competitions between New Zealand, Queensland and New South Wales and a test between New Zealand and a combined Australian team.